smenner



y 6, 1931. H. F. SMENNER 1,806,921

COMBUSTION TUBE FOR OIL BURNERS Filed Se t. 24 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I Fig. Z.

FSWMM/ AINVENTOR BY a MR/fib ATTORN EY y 6, 1931. H. F. SMENNER 1,806,921

COMBUSTION TUBE FOR OIL BURNERS Filed Sept. 24 192 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M F W INVENTOR a- BY ATTORNEY May 26, 1931. H. F. SMENNER COMBUSTION TUBE FOR OIL BURNERS Filed Sept. 24 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Patented May 26, 1931 UNITED STATES HARRY F. SMENNER, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE WAYNE HOME EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND oomnusrron TUBE run off. nuanms Application filed September 24, 1928. Serial No. 307,988.

burners of relatively small size, such as those for heating dwelling houses and later was found equally useful in larger installations.

To ensure safe and efiicient combustion of the fuel, the rearward part of the flame must be maintained a short distance in front of the burner nozzle. If the flame rests upon or surrounds the end of the nozzle, carbon deposits will soon partially or wholly close the fuel outlet orifice, or accumulate on the nozzle so as to prevent normal discharge of air from the combustion tube, or interfere with ignition, or all of these. If the flame is maintained too far forward of the end of the nozzle, it is apt to be blown out; whereupon normal continued feed of fuel upon 'the heated firebox wall is liable to cause an explosion.

The principal object of the invention is to ensure a thorough mixture of the vaporized fuel and air and cause the flame to burn at an efficient and safe distance forward of the spray nozzle.

Another advantage of my invention is the fact that the burner and nozzle may be adjusted to operating position in the combus tion tube at the factory, and this assembly installed wherever used, and when so installed is ready for immediate use without readjustment. The quantity of oil fed, and the quantity of air supplied may be changed 5 Without affecting the position of the flame in relation to the burner tip.

Another object of my invention is to ensure substantially complete combustion by speading out the flame within the firebox, and

4e maintaining a quiet, floating flame, instead of a concentrated roaring flame, with excessive draft and excessive loss of heat in the stack.

The particular embodiments of my invention selected for illustration cover three forms of the combustion tube.

of the main tube. The branch tubes are united with the main tube tangentially, one

I tured rotatable sleeve within the main tube,

combustion tube is formed of two 1111 of Fig. 8.

PATENT OFFICE.

on the to side and one on the bottom side.

Flg. 2, 1s a cross section of the tubes only, on the line 22 of Fig. 1, and

Flg. 3 is a longitudinalsection of the tubes only on the line 33 of Fig. 1 and with the rearward portion broken away.

Flg. 4, a combustion tube and burner assembly in perspective shows a second form of the combustion tube; whose rearward ends are broken away, has the branch tubes united with the'main tube axially, and has an aper- Fig. 5 is a cross section of the tubes only, on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the tubes only, on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

.Flg. 7, is a top plan view of a combustion tube and burner assembly with the rearward ends of the connections broken away. The arallel tubes formed integrally and tangentia ly connected.

Fig. 8, is an end view of the tubes only, from the rear.

Fig. 9, is a cross section of the tubes only on the line 99.of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10, is a longltudinal section of the tubes only on the line 10-10 of Fig. 8, and

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section on the line Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive; 1 is the main combustion tube, with branch tube 2, connected with the main tube tangentially on the under side of the main tube, and branch tube 3, connected with the main tube tangentially on the top of the main tube, so that air forced through the Y tube 4 and branch tubes 2 and 3 will rotate within the main tube 1, around the burner nozzle 5 as indicated by the arrows. Electrodes 6, 6 are conveniently located to supply initial ignition.

Obviously the branch tubes need not be connected to the main combustion tube directly opposite each other, and if one was so connected behind the other, two currents of air would be created in the main tube both rotating in the same direction. .More than two branch tubes, connected one behind the other might be used ifmore than two air currents are desired.

Referring now particularly to Fi s. 4 to 6 inclusive, the mam combustion tu e 7 has branch tubes 8, 9 connected axially and preferably nearly full width of tube 7, one at either side. A sleeve 1 with apertures 11, 12, makes a close rotating fit inside the main tube 7 and has a pin handle secured thereto, and extending through the slot-l3 in tube 7, by which said sleeve may be rotated. The position and size of the apertures 11 and 12 and the len th of the slot 13 determines the limits wit in which air may be admitted from the branch tubes 8 and 9 to the main tube 7.

Two or more branch tubes secured to the main tube one behind the other, with a combined sleeve or a sleeve mechanism for each, may be provided if a plurality of air currents are desired.

The preferred form of the device is shown in Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive, and will now be described. The main combustion tube 1 1 has a parallel air supply tube 15 closed at its front end, both preferably formed of one casting with a tangential opening from the latter to the former at 16. This opening may be coextensive with their joint length or a less distance. In the drawings it has been shown as extending from a partition 17 to the front end of the air supply tube 15 with a cross partition 18 of suitable height to prevent all the air supplied to the tube 15 from the rear 19 impinging upon the front end 20 of said tube, but will divert part of the air to the main tube 14 in a separate current. Obviously there might be a plurality of such partitions and of different heights if desired, if more than two such streams of air into the main tube from the air supply tube are desired.

An axially adjustable housing 21 completely closes the back end of the main tube 14. Through this housing extend the electrodes 6 and 6 and the fuel, oil supply tube'22, the inner end of which terminates in the spray nozzle 5. An opening through the side of the main tube, is closed by a mica window 23 and is protected externally by a window housing 24, having a hinged guard door 25, which may be raised to observe the conditions on the inside of the fire-pot (not shown).

The combined main tube and air supply tube may have a longitudinal passage 26 to supply air direct from outside the fire-pot to its interior and the supply of direct air therethrough is regulated by the adjustment of the position of the cover plate 27.

Although certain forms of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that a mechanic, working within the scope of what is claimed, may make changes, without departing from the spirit .of the invention.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1. In a combustion tube for apparatus for burning liquid fuel, non-adjustable means for supplying air through the wall of said tube substantially tangentially thereof and mleais for dividing the air current so supp 1e I 2. In a combustion tube for apparatus for burning liquid fuel a fuel supply pipe and its spra nozzle positioned substantially axially 0 said tube and non-adjustable means for supplying air under pressure through the wall of said tube substantially tangentially thereof and contiguous to said nozzle.

3. In a combustion tube for apparatus for burning liquid fuel, a fuel supply pipe and its spray nozzle positioned substantially axially of said tube, non-adjustable means for supplying air through the wall of said tube substantially tangentially thereof and contiguous to said nozzle, and means for dividin the air current so supplied.

4. In a combustion tube for apparatus for burning liquid fuel a fuel supply pipe and its spray nozzle positioned substantially axially of said tube and non-adjustable means for supplying air under pressure for combustion through the wall of said tube substantially tangentially thereof and con tiguous to said nozzle.

5. In a combustion tube for apparatus for burning liquid fuel, means for supplying air under pressure through the wall of said tube substantially tangentially thereof, and meacrlis for dividing the air current so supplie 6. In a combustion tube for apparatus for burning liquid fuel, a fuel supply pipe and its spray nozzle positioned substantially axially of said tube substantially tangentially thereof and contiguous to said nozzle, and means-for dividing the air current so supplied.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HARRY F. SMENNER. 

